Language, Socio-cultural Symbolisms and Implications in Yoruba Hieroglyphics

Abstract

Hieroglyphics, as non-verbal system of communication, is a phenomenon which retains its communicative values among the Yorubas of Nigeria. Various studies have focused on different aspects of Yoruba hieroglyphics touching largely on physical descriptions with little attention paid to the denotative and connotative meanings with links to the explanations of the underpinning ideology behind their uses in traditional communicative contexts. Descriptive research design was adopted. The purposively sampled data sourced from fourteen aged men and one aged woman were analysed. The locations were villages of Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo town, Oyo State Nigeria. The findings reveal that the Yoruba hieroglyphic objects are numerous and with traditional names, as informed by their uses and functions. A few of these Yoruba communicative objects have multiple connotative meanings distinguishable from their denotative meanings. Finally, it is discovered that Yoruba world view and traditional beliefs have considerable influence, in terms of the ideology behind the nomenclatures, meanings, interpretations and functions of the hieroglyphic objects. The communicative values of the overt and covert semantic implications of hieroglyphic objects establish semiotics as means of reality representation through meaning of signs and significations. This, thus fixes the fact that usage of hieroglyphics and meaning production bear social relevance. Language analysts and users are guided beyond verbal description in communication context and into sociological import which become part of the communal effects that hieroglyphics have at physical, metaphysical and spiritual levels.